Author: The Bulrushes

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on Wednesday said it has obtained a preservation order from the Special Tribunal to freeze the pension benefits of Philemon Letwaba, the former Chief Operating Officer of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). An investigation by the SIU into the affairs of NLC suggests that Letwaba benefited personally from monies received by NPOs from the NLC. Allegations are that Letwaba allegedly used friends and family businesses, and Trusts to receive money from NPOs for his benefit and that of his family. The names of the businesses and Trusts are: •Unbrand Properties •Mosokodi Water Solutions and Drilling…

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday ruled that the Executive Code of Ethics was unconstitutional in so far as it does not require Members to disclose donations made to internal party-political election campaigns. The ruling followed an application brought by the amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism NPC for the confirmation of a high court order of constitutional invalidity in respect of the Executive Code of Ethics. Confirming the high court’s decision that the Code is unconstitutional in so far as it does not require members of the executive to disclose donations made to internal party-political election campaigns, the apex court found…

Load-shedding will continue to be implemented at Stage 5, with a possibility of reducing a further stage by Thursday, Eskom has announced. “Since yesterday afternoon four generation units at four power stations were taken offline for emergency repairs,” Eskom said on Tuesday. “These are a generating unit each at Arnot, Lethabo, Kendal and Majuba power stations. Seven units returned to service at Camden, Kendal, Kriel, Kusile, Lethabo and Majuba power stations.” The struggling power utility again apologised for the continued load-shedding because of the shortage of generation capacity and the need to attend to breakdowns. “While some generation units are…

Diesel shortages continue to cripple Tshwane Bus Service (TBS) operations in the capital city. On Tuesday morning only a few buses were seen on the road. “More than half of the TBS fleet is not running this morning because we did not get the delivery of diesel last night as we had anticipated,” said Selby Bokaba, spokesperson for the City of Tshwane. “We will continue to engage with our service provider with a view to expediting the delivery of diesel today so that service can return to normal.” On Monday the TBS operations were severely constrained resulting in the temporary…

The Global Center on Adaptation, African Development Bank, and Climate Investment Funds are calling for applications for the second edition of the African Youth Adaptation Solutions (YouthADAPT) Challenge. YouthADAPT is an annual competition that invites young entrepreneurs and micro, small, and medium enterprises in Africa to submit innovative solutions and business ideas that have the potential to drive climate change adaptation and resilience across the continent. This year, 20 winners will each be awarded $100 000 or R1.7 million, training, mentorship and coaching to support their climate change adaptation innovation in their communities and across Africa. The commercially viable business…

A daring burglar, who broke into the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) offices in Mbombela (Nelspruit), has been found guilty of housebreaking and theft. The Nelspruit District Court on Friday (16 September 2022) found 32-year-old Daniel Wagenaar guilty of seven counts of housebreaking and theft. The accused broke into the DPCI – better known as the Hawks – offices on Van Rensburg Street in Mbombela on 6 March 2022 at about 19h00. After the break-in, the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) visited the crime scene and lifted fingerprints for linkages. As a result, Wagenaar was positively linked to the crime…

Police have swooped on a business premise in Roodepoort and found equipment suspected to be used for illegal mining. The police said they raided the business premises in the evening on Thursday (15 September 2022). “The equipment that includes ‘pendukas’ are allegedly manufactured by this company, using gas bottles and steel water pipes,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo. “Also found at the premises were iron balls, electric motors, generators and compressors. “Three undocumented foreign nationals who are employees of this company were arrested while police are still searching for the owner of the company”. In a related matter, Gauteng Provincial…

Petrol users could see another sizable reduction in their fuel price in October while diesel users are facing an increase, the Automobile Association (AA) said on Friday. The AA said unaudited mid-month data of the Central Energy Fund (CEF), shows that petrol was expected to decrease by between R1.14 and R1.24 a litre, while diesel was expected to increase by between 43c and 50c a litre in October. “At this mid-month stage, the outlook for petrol is positive. But the expected price increases to diesel are concerning as this is the fuel mainly used in the mining, manufacturing, and agricultural…

Eskom has announced that owing to breakdowns and persistent shortages of generation capacity Stage 4 load-shedding will continue until Sunday morning. “Breakdowns of a generating unit each at Kriel, Majuba and Tutuka power stations over the past 24 hours have necessitated the continuation of load-shedding at Stage 4 until Sunday at 05:00,” Eskom said Friday. “Thereafter load shedding will be implemented at Stage 3 until 05:00 on Monday.” Eskom said while some generation units are anticipated to return to service next week, it was necessary to extend the load-shedding to replenish the emergency generation reserves. The power utility said emergency…

Three suspects aged between 36 and 42 from Mbombela Municipality Traffic Department and White River Traffic Department have been arrested in connection with fraud, theft, and money laundering amounting to R60 million. Their arrests on Wednesday follow an investigation into alleged corruption at the department carried out by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), which began in December 2018. Allegations are that traffic department officials were taking bribes to unlawfully extend expired vehicle licence discs without enforcing related fines. Suspicions are that the cashiers colluded with the truck fleet owners, who owed large amounts of money for expired licence and fines…